Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Three more players were inducted into Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame today, Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice and Joe Gordon. Henderson and Rice were elected by the Baseball Writers Association, Gordon by the latest version of the Veteran's Committee. (Now it's the HOF members that get to vote on players no longer eligible for BBWAA votes.)

Rickey Henderson was elected in his first year of eligibilty, and a fairly obvious pick as Baseball's all-time best lead-off hitter (arguably at least).

Jime Rice was elected in his last year of eligibility. Rice became elgible for the Hall of Fame in 1995, and received 137 votes, appearing on 29.8% of the ballots. It seems a bit odd that a player only 30% of the voters agreed on in 1995 should eventually receive 75% of the vote. New people do become eligible to vote, but I doubt that woulb be enough to explain the shift.

Personally, I'm conflicted as to whether Jim Rice should be in the Hall of Fame. His career numbers are good, but not great. He did have several years where he put up Triple Crown type numbers. But with both his career and yearly numbers he benefited from playing in Boston. His numbers away from his home park if extrapolated out to a full career certainly don't look like someone who should be in the Hall.

Joe Gordon is another marginal player, his career numbers (even granting for losing several years due to wars) just aren't that impressive.